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Team Haiti - In March of 2010, Southwestern Medical Clinic Foundation sponsored a medical team from the area to provide medical care at the Dessalines Hospital and the surrounding communities in Haiti. The team called themselves "Team Haiti" and consisted of six individuals from the local area: Frederick Johansen, MD; Ronald Baker, MD; Keith VanOosterhout, MD; Richard Watson, MA, LLP, LPC; Christie Case, RN; and John Koller, PTA. Team members are pictured at left with the exception of Rich Watson.  Jim Kroeze, DO is in the picture and is planning to lead a second team in the fall.  The team took medical supplies, medicines and donations made through the SWMC Foundation to pay for the medical care of individuals unable to pay. Team members raised their own funds for their expenses so all donations made to "Help for Haiti" went directly to help the Haitian people.

Following are some quotes from team members about how the trip impacted their lives:

Dr. Baker was the team leader and has had many experiences with medical missions. He sums up the impact of the Haiti Team Trip as follows:

• "We experienced the incredible opportunity to have a well-rounded, multi-talented medical team that served for a short time in Haiti - an even more desperately needy country since the Jan. 12th earthquake.

• We had the privilege of working alongside Dr. Dan and Dee Ann Snyder, other Haitian medical workers, volunteers, pastors, chaplains, and administrators at Dessalines Hospital

• We saw the devastation of the earthquake through the eyes of the Haitians

• We saw God's hand at work in the lives of people devastated by the earthquake and experienced their continued faith and hope in Him.

• We saw and experienced God's love to His people and once again realized how incredibly blessed we are in the United States!"

- Ron Baker, MD

"In John 17 : 20-22 Christ prays that future believers will show the Glory of God......the Haitian believers did that in the background of incredible devastation....and our team was fortunate to have been there. "

- Rick Johansen, MD

"I feel so blessed to have gone to Haiti. I went to give and received so much more in return. The people were so gracious and grateful. I fell in love with every one of them. I would go again in a heartbeat!"

- Christie Case, RN

John took a hair cutting tool to Haiti and showed one of the locals how to use it to cut hair. This will enable the individual to earn money with the tools John gave him. John’s quote is "Give a man a haircut and he looks good for a day. Teach a man how to cut other peoples' hair and hope he can help feed his family for a lifetime."

- John Koller, PTA

"Having the privilege to meet some of the victims of the earthquake, my heart was deeply moved as they shared their individual stories and experiences. As a counselor, I was uncertain what to expect from a cultural perspective as well as managing the language barrier. I soon learned the value of careful listening and patiently allowing them time to express the meaning behind their tears, sleeplessness, homelessness, and physical pain.

Without a doubt countless Haitians continue to grieve tremendous life and physical loss. I am so honored to have been chosen to be a small part of this team helping facilitate care and support to these precious souls. As many of the Haitians expressed upon our departure, please tell the American people to continue to pray for our nation and please send more people to help us. May we be faithful in doing that! Thank you to SWMC Foundation and Team Haiti for their support and sending us to Dessalines Haiti."

- Rich Watson, MA, LPC, LLP

"Back pain was a frequent complaint of the Haiti patients who sought medical care. It seemed somewhat deflating to have traveled 3000 miles to treat what is usually a mundane problem. My outlook was changed when I asked one woman how she injured her back. She replied that she hurt it trying to pull her friend out of a collapsed building. Pain takes on a different meaning in this context: we call this "total pain"- physical, spiritual, existential. The pain is a constant reminder of her trapped friend, and her inability to help her friend. The team treats these problems: the medical personnel address the physical component, and our counselors and chaplains help with the hopelessness felt by virtually all Haitians. It was an honor to be part of a Christian team, and to help support these people during their grief."

- Keith VanOosterhout, MD